Abstract

A COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW WITH PHARMACOLOGICAL POTENTIAL OF “MOTHER OF HERBS” - ARTEMISIA VULGARIS LINN

Dr. Zainab Zubair*, Dr. Ismath Shameem and Dr. Seyed Mohamed Noorul Ameen

ABSTRACT

Artemisia vulgaris L. commonly known as Mugwort is a tall, aromatic, bitter, perennial herb that grows wild and abundant usually in mountainous regions in temperate, wet and cold- temperature zones of the world. It belongs to the family Asteraceae. It is commonly practiced in traditional medicine, as it has numerous effective therapeutic uses especially in gynaecology and urology. It is recognized as Afsantīn-i-Hindi in Unani system of medicine and is mentioned as a remedy for various ailments by numerous Unani physicians in classical Unani literature and it is one of the component in various compound preparations. Pharmacological studies proved that it acts as emmenogogue, uterine stimulant, hepatoprotective, antidiabetic, antioxidant, CNS stimulant, antispasmodic, anticoagulant, antihyperlipedemic, immunity enhancer, tonic to vital organs, etc. It contains estrogenic flavonoids (eriodictyol and apigenin), flavonoids, phenols, glycosides, tannins and saponins, coumarins, sesquiterpene lactones, volatile oils, etc. This review article will help to elicit the scientific interpretation of the medicinal properties of Afsantīn in various remedies as mentioned in Unani system of Medicine.

Keywords: Artemisia vulgaris L., Afsant?n-i-Hindi, Unani system of medicine, medicinal properties, pharmacological studies.